Aston Villa tee up late bid for star Emery loves with ‘very good financial offer’ on table
Aston Villa are in with a chance of signing Matteo Guendouzi from Marseille before the end of the January transfer window, according to reports in France.
Guendouzi previously played for Unai Emery at Arsenal and has been a target for the tactician during his first transfer window with Villa. Marseille signed the Frenchman on a permanent basis in January after having him on loan from the Gunners.
Understandably, they have been reluctant to lose him so soon. However, Villa have been pushing for a deal throughout the transfer window.
Now, L’Equipe has revealed that the Premier League side have made a “very good financial offer” to Guendouzi after lengthy contact with his entourage.
It is now up to them to convince Marseille to sell the 23-year-old. The Ligue 1 outfit want to wait until the summer before considering Guendouzi’s future, but are now bracing themselves for a late approach from Villa.
In fact, Emery’s side are the leading candidates to take him away from Stade Velodrome. His contract there is due to last until 2025.
But Guendouzi remains fond of Emery from their time working together at Arsenal. Of his 82 appearances for the north London club, 66 came under the management of Emery.
No other coach at any of the clubs Guendouzi has represented has ever given him as many appearances.
Hence, Villa are pushing to reunite the pair. In turn, Guendouzi could become their third signing of the January transfer window after Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran.
Guendouzi the next phase of Aston Villa recruitment drive
Emery will be hoping their recruitment drive can help his team climb up the Premier League table. After 20 games so far this season, they are currently in 11th place.
However, they are only a few points off the European places. With the amount they have spent in recent transfer windows, they should be aiming towards there, but just haven’t delivered in recent seasons.
The appointment of someone like Emery should enable them to make more progress, especially if he can continue to attract high-pedigree players.
Guendouzi has made 26 appearances for Marseille this season, including six in the Champions League. With four goals to his name and the same number of assists, he has been backing up his promising debut season with OM, in which he played 56 times, scored five goals and made 14 assists.
He seems to have earned a second chance in the Premier League. Getting it with Emery will be appealing for the seven-cap France international.
But Villa will have to scramble to get an appropriate bid sent to Marseille in time before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night.
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